Samsung Green DDR3L 1600 2x4GB Review

Introduction:

Generally in the market of the PC world, when I hear the name Samsung, I usually think of big screen TVs, monitors, or the occasional hard drive. Memory isn't something I associate with the name, and vice versa, I don't tend to think of Samsung when looking for new RAM. However, Samsung does indeed sell RAM and SSDs alongside its better known TV and mobile products.

Today we get to take a glimpse at an 8GB kit (2x4GB) of the Samsung Green DDR3L 1600 memory. As a major player in the "Green" market today, Samsung looks for ways to reduce energy costs and provides a great deal to the Energy Star efficient market. Even for computers it seems Samsung is trying to do its share by helping users reduce their footprint. Everyone knows of the Samsung EcoGreen HDDs, which run slower at 5400RPM to save a little power and heat. It turns out Samsung wants to pass on the savings to your computer's memory as well. With the lower voltage (1.35V) and 30nm low profile technology, Samsung can use up to 47% less power than conventional 60nm memory. It’s a fine way to lower the power bill, but how well does it perform? Let's take a closer look at what Samsung is offering up.

Closer Look:

The Samsung Green modules come enclosed in a cardboard covered, bubble plastic sealed package. It's one of the ones you must absolutely destroy to get the product out. No big deal, it isn't like you want to store your memory in the package and it leaves less to toss to the environment's disposal. The capacity is listed to the right in a big, bold, blue 8 with the size and count just below (in case looking at the package wasn't enough to tell you how many). It's a matched set for dual channel capable of running at 1600 MHz. The bottom right indicates it's the 30nm lower profile, lower voltage design. The lower left reminds you it's a green product with a "planet first" logo. It claims to be memory for life – let's hope this is at least true for the life of your rig.

The back of the package gives a quick table with the timings and CAS latency for running it at the various supported speeds. Although as obvious as it seems, the table further proves running it at slower speeds will give you tighter timings. It's not rocket science but it shows you exactly what you need to get the timings you desire. You are given a few quick features and left with the lingering limited lifetime warranty with no defined time on the package (limited always makes me wonder how long before it's going to fail). Again it is a part of the 30nm class, 240 pin DDR3 SDRAM VLP unbuffered DIMM, and is supported for 1.35V and 1.5V voltages. Not much else to say here.

The sticker reads the part number: M379B5273DH0-YK0, with capacity and ratings marked as well for later down the road when you can't remember what sticks you have laying around. With lower voltage, and a lower profile, the modules lack the need for heat spreaders and show up as naked PCB. At least it isn't the old school green PCB, but instead stealthy black – it blends in with any build. The lack of a heat spreader also allows them to sit a tiny bit further apart in the slots and avoid contributing too much radiation to the slot next to it. With two sticks in my board, they will be separated by a whole slot – no worries about heat here.